TL;DR
Assa Abloy has laid off the majority of staff at Level, the smart lock company, and is transferring its assets to Kwikset. The founders have left, and the future of Level’s products is uncertain.
Assa Abloy has laid off most of the staff at Level Home, the smart lock company, and is transferring its assets to Kwikset, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company’s founders, CEO John Martin and CTO Ken Goto, have left, raising questions about the future of Level’s product line and customer support. Assa Abloy confirmed the restructuring but stated that Level continues to operate within its corporate structure.
Sources told The Verge that the layoffs at Level Home, which specializes in smart locks designed to resemble traditional deadbolts, were immediate and comprehensive. An audio recording obtained by The Verge shows that Peter Boriskin, CTO for Assa Abloy North America, and Kimberly Cummins, head of North American HR, informed staff that their positions were eliminated as part of a broader business restructuring. The company is consolidating Level’s assets into Kwikset, another Assa Abloy-owned brand, effectively shuttering the independent operation of Level.
In addition to the layoffs, the company confirmed that the two founding executives, John Martin and Ken Goto, have departed. A small group of engineers is being retained solely to complete an upcoming product launch related to multi-family lock management. Assa Abloy stated that Level continues to operate as a business within its corporate umbrella, with ongoing development and sales of the Level Lock platform, and assured customers support remains unaffected. However, the future of Level’s cloud services and features remains uncertain, with concerns about potential discontinuation affecting user access to app-based functionalities.
Implications for Level Lock Users and Smart Home Market
This development indicates a significant shift for Level Lock, which has been a notable player in the smart lock industry. The departure of its founders and the layoffs suggest the company may no longer be independently supported, raising concerns about ongoing product support, updates, and cloud services. For consumers, this could mean losing access to app features, auto-unlock, and door status sensing if cloud services are discontinued. The move also reflects broader challenges faced by smart home device manufacturers amid declining sales and corporate restructuring.
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Background of Level and Corporate Restructuring
Level Home gained recognition for its traditional-looking smart locks that integrate with smart home systems, including Apple HomeKit and Matter. Acquired by Assa Abloy in 2024, it was seen as a promising player in the smart lock market. However, recent financial reports show declining sales in North America, and the company’s strategic focus appears to be shifting. The restructuring and layoffs, confirmed by sources and an internal meeting recording, mark a sharp change from previous operations, with the company now being absorbed into Kwikset, another major brand under Assa Abloy.
“The layoffs were immediate and comprehensive, and most of the engineering team has left along with the founders.”
— an anonymous source familiar with the situation
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Unclear Future of Level’s Cloud Services and Support
It is not yet clear whether Assa Abloy will fully shut down Level’s cloud services or update the locks to operate independently of Level’s servers. While locks supporting Matter or Apple HomeKit may continue to function locally, the long-term support and feature availability remain uncertain. The extent of the impact on existing users and their access to cloud-dependent features is still developing.
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Next Steps for Customers and Industry Watchers
Consumers using Level locks should monitor official communications from Assa Abloy regarding support and updates. Industry analysts will likely scrutinize how the restructuring affects the smart lock market and the integration of legacy products. Further details on the fate of Level’s cloud services and product support are expected in the coming weeks, as the company clarifies its strategy.
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Key Questions
Will my Level smart lock still work after the layoffs?
It depends on whether cloud services are discontinued. Basic lock-and-unlock functions through local connections like Apple HomeKit or Matter are likely to continue, but app-based features may be affected if cloud support is removed.
Why did Assa Abloy lay off most of Level’s staff?
The company cited a recent restructuring aimed at consolidating assets and focusing on core brands like Kwikset, amid declining sales in the North American market.
What does this mean for existing Level users?
Users may face limited functionality if cloud features are discontinued. It is recommended to keep firmware updated and follow official notices for support changes.
Is Level being shut down completely?
Assa Abloy states that Level continues to operate within its corporate structure, but the departure of founders and staff suggests the company’s independent future is uncertain.
Source: The Verge
